Cane ready for All Blacks return

All Blacks flanker Sam Cane is raring to go after making a successful return from injury in Albany on Friday.

All Blacks flanker Sam Cane is raring to go after making a successful return from injury in Albany on Friday.

Cane played for 30 minutes during the All Blacks' warm-up games against North Harbour and Northland and despite sustaining a head wound, which required six stitches, he declared himself happy with his first stint back on a rugby field, since he was sidelined with a knee injury for the Chiefs back in May.

"It was just getting the contact back in the shoulders and testing the lungs out again, and it was enjoyable," he told Fairfax Media.

When asked about the condition of his knee, Cane replied: "No worries."

"The last two months have been all about hard work, and in the back of my mind was the opportunity to make this squad and pull on the black jersey again.

"That's what drives you during those times of training by yourself."

He admitted that he could have returned to action if the Chiefs made Super Rugby's semi-finals but said he wasn't sure if he will be amongst the replacements when the All Blacks face the Wallabies on Saturday.

Cane admitted, however, that it helped to be ready when you're the back-up for All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw.

"Anything can happen and if the opportunity comes and I'm needed out there, I've got to be ready," he said.